A Tribute to Paul Simon – His Music & Legacy

Show Topic: A Tribute to Paul Simon – His Music & Legacy

The latest episode of my podcast, aired on Thursday, March 13th, 2025, was a special celebration of Paul Simon’s legendary career in promotion of his Spring and Summer 2025 tour, “Paul Simon in Concert: A Quiet Celebration.”

We took a deep dive into Paul Simon’s musical journey, from his early days with Simon & Garfunkel to his groundbreaking solo career, exploring the genres and influences that shaped his sound.

Listeners heard a mix of Simon & Garfunkel’s timeless classics, highlights from Simon’s acclaimed solo albums, and his most influential collaborations and innovations in folk, gospel, reggae, and world music.

What to Expect:

• Simon & Garfunkel Era – We revisited the beautiful harmonies and poetic storytelling of Simon & Garfunkel, with songs like:

  • The Sound of Silence
  • Mrs. Robinson
  • The Boxer
  • America
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water

• Solo Career & Musical Exploration – Paul Simon’s solo years saw him embracing diverse musical styles, from gospel and reggae to jazz and soul. We highlighted tracks from his early solo albums:

  • Paul Simon (1972) – Featuring Mother and Child Reunion and Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard
  • There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (1973) – With Kodachrome and Loves Me Like a Rock
  • Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) – Including 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

• The Graceland Phenomenon – Paul Simon’s most commercially successful and influential album, Graceland (1986), blended South African rhythms with Western pop, creating a revolutionary sound that introduced audiences worldwide to Afropop influences. We discussed how this genre-blending masterpiece changed the landscape of world music.

This was an episode listeners won’t want to miss! If you haven’t already, be sure to tune in for an in-depth journey through Paul Simon’s extraordinary career.